Movie - Gia and her new potty

Movie - Gia says her full name

Movie - Gia and Gus the dog playing

Photos - 24 months

What Gia's crazy about now ...

Gia loves lots of things, but here's what's at the top of her list:

1. Animals! (She knows the names of all the animals we meet, but is also partial to stuffed animals. She declares her missing of specific animals as soon as they're out of sight, and laments the absence of photos of certain ones she sees often.)
   
2. Babies! (especially a "teeny, teeny baby." This bodes well for what's coming next week!)
3. Lying in the bottom of baby-sister-to-be's co-sleeper
4. Cuddling, especially with mommy
5. Bye-bye kisses (and getting to tell which body parts get them) when we drop her off at school or leave the house
   
6. Running around naked
7. Wearing cute hats
   
8. Singing songs (especially to process something she likes or feels upset about, and even more when daddy plays the guitar and sings)
   
9. Lemons
10. Pineapple
    
11. Learning new words, names and sounds
12. Finding items in their homes, where they "should" be
13. Electronics
14. Popping big packing bubbles
15. Did we mention Nana?

We'll have more news for you soon ... hope you're having a wonderful kickoff to 2010!

Happy Second Birthday, Gia!

Gia is now 2 years old, and we know her now to be even more of a miracle than the day she was born. She's a very happy, expressive, sensitive, funny, clear and affectionate little person, and we are deeply grateful to be her parents. This year she believes that birthdays are about singing, eating, balloons, wearing hats and opening anything in a box or wrapping paper. Her favorite present this year, though, was extra time with Auntie Wendy's dog, Gus. We'll have pictures soon!

Loved and Safe

Today before her nap, Gia wanted to cuddle in bed (under the blanket) with me. So I held her and we talked a little. I started listing off some of the people who love her (there are a lot!), and taught her how to say, "I love you!" We've been working on that one for awhile, and today, she finally said it! It sounded more like, "I yeh-yohw," which is suspiciously close to "yellow," and I'm not totally sure if she knows what it means, but I happily accepted it, anyway! Then, she paused and said, "Safe, too." I was so surprised and warmed to hear her say that. I usually tell her as I put her in her crib, "Gia, you are so loved and safe, and all is well." Just more evidence that what we say really does stick, and just could make a big difference! I hope she holds her sense of being loved and safe through her life ...

Just before her second birthday ...

So you have a taste of what Gia's like these days ... well, she's hilarious, affectionate, observant, sensitve, a thoughtful communicator, and she loves to laugh. She's always excited about bathtime, because she gets to run around the house naked ("Gia nekki! Clothes off! Gia running. Daddy chase Gia!") She also loves for us to sing to her, especially when she's processing some of her experiences. She asks us to sing a lot about animals she's met, as well as about some of her friends. We make up lots of silly songs. When we're mid-phrase, she'll feed us words or ideas to incorporate (Red Elmo shoes! Kiki hiding blankie! Gussie lick Gia face!) Here are a few more glimpses into life with Gia:

Yesterday morning as we cuddled in bed, I asked her how she slept. First, she responded, "Nice nap." Then she elaborated about some of what happened: "Mommy come Gia ... Mommy bye bye, mommy gone. Gia cry. Daddy come Gia, Daddy sing Gia. Gia ok."

A conversation from last night:

"Who's birthday is coming up?"
"Gia!" (big smile)
"How old will you be?"
"Two!" (proudly holds up 5 fingers)
"What will we do to celebrate?"
"Sing Gia!"
"Oh, and what will you wear?"
"Hat!" (pats head)

Although we're not having a big birthday party for Gia's 2nd, we got to celebrate with family on New Year's Day, and are bringing in snacks and hats to her school later this week. That's enough for a two-year-old, right?

She continues to be excited about the prospect of her little sister, and will often hug or kiss my belly, tell me what she's going to share with or give to "baby shister," and also tells me that baby will cry, nap, and eat. We'll see what happens in a month when her little sister is actually here! (A month?!)

A few of her phrases from the evening as we talked about the day:

"Park abacus" (There's a big abacus in the climbing structure at the park)
"Gunner photo book soon." (She wants a shot of the bookstore dog, Gunner, in her photo book. She's trying to be patient.)
"Wear strawberry hat!" (She always wants to wear this adorable hat that her cousin Lil found for her. We'll post pictures soon!)

That's it for now. Happy New Year!